Advertising or display device



Dec. 13, 1960 J. MIRELPH ETAL ADVERTISING OR DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 2'7, 195'? n MU m m M JAMES M. RELPH BY Tosm N. ASHIDATE 9.4., gz fiflw ATTORNEY United States Patent ADVERTISING 0R DISPLAY DEVHIE James M. Relph, Tenafly, and Toshi N. Ashidate, Bergenfield, NJ., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Fred S. Cornell, Tenafly, N .1.

Filed May 27, 1957, Ser. No. 661,655

1 Claim. (Cl. 40-106.53)

This invention relates in general to advertising or display devices and particularly to a new and useful device for producing the effect of a burning fire, moving water or the like.

A device constructed in accordance with this invention is an improvement over similar devices of this nature particularly in respect to the manner of diffusing and reflecting light exposed by a moving source and projected on to a translucent screen to produce very realistic burning or other similar moving effects. An object of this invention is to provide a new and useful advertising or display device.

A further object of this invention is to provide an advertising or display device which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The single figure of the drawing is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a simulated charcoal fire display device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawing in particular the invention as embodied therein includes a housing having a substantially rectangularly shaped bottom with a constant speed electric motor 12 mounted therein adjacent a substantially triangular side wall 14. The motor 12' is connected through an electric cord 16 to a suitable source of electrical energy. Also connected to the same electrical cord 16 is an electrical lamp socket 18 which is removably mounted on the housing bottom 10 adjacent an opposite substantially triangular side wall 20. The lamp socket 18 may be lifted out of a mounting bracket 21 by pulling upwardly thereon.

In accordance with the invention a long length small diameter red glass lamp 22 is screwed into the socket 18 for being lighted therein. The lamp 22 extends from the socket 18 to a location spaced from the electric motor 12 and is enclosed by a long lightweight metal foil cylinder 24. The lightweight metal foil cylinder 24 has a plurality of ofiset holes or apertures 26 therein arranged to contribute in producing a desired flame burning effect by permitting moving beams of light from the red glass lamp 22 to be directed outwardly therethrough as the cylinder is rotated around the lamp. The preferred size of the holes 26 is one-half inch diameter, spaced no closer than two diameters apart.

The cylinder 24 is closed at the end adjacent the motor 12 except for three holes 27 to permit exit of light from the lamp 22 in this location. A short stub shaft 28 is afiixed to the center of the three-holed end of the cylinder 24 and is connected, through a flexible coupling 30, to the motor 12 for rotation thereby. The opposite end of the metal foil cylinder 24 is provided with an annular end wall 32 the central peripheral edge of which rotatably engages the lamp socket 18 during rotation thereof.

The side walls of the apparatus are substantially triangularly shaped, the fronts being vertical to mate with a short vertical front wall 34. A rectangularly shaped inwardly sloping back wall 36 is hinged to the bottom of the housing and secured in position abutting the edges of the side walls 14, 20 as by screws 37. The back wall 36 may be unfastened and swung open for inspection of the interior of the apparatus. When the lamp 22 burns out the back wall may be swung open and the lamp socket 18 lifted out of its bracket 21 and the lamp 22 replaced. This is possible because the socket 18, lamp 22 and metal foil cylinder 24 may be tilted about the rubber coupling 30.

The back wall 36 is lined with a reflective material such as aluminum foil 38 having varied randomly oriented plane surfaces. A front sloping wall 40 made of a translucent material, such as glass, plastic or the like fits under a retaining lip 42, formed from an upward extension of the front wall 34; and rests against the side walls 14 and 20. The front sloping wall 40 is painted at its lower portion as at 44 to depict a plurality of charcoal bricks burning.

When the cord 16 is plugged into an electrical circuit the motor 12 rotates the cylinder 24 and light from the red colored lamp 22 is emitted through the apertures 26 and 27 of the cylinder 24, as the latter revolves. The light thus emitted is partly reflected by the metal foil 38 of the back wall 36 to give an even glow burning effect at the charcoal 44, and partly transmited directly to the wall 40 to give a leaping flame burning effect. The overall effect is a very satisfactory flashing and diffusion burning appearance produced on the translucent front Wall 40, making a very convincing charcoal fire.

The device is very useful in conjunction with such devices as electrical cookers or ovens, Where a charcoal cooking fire eflFect provides a psychological impetus to sales. Many other uses are apparent such as display in fireplaces, simulated campfires, etc. The device is compact and portable and can be moved to any desired location. It should be realized that by changing the pictured configuration on the front wall 40, it would be possible to simulate such effects as moving or rippling water or the like.

While the specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

A display device providing the optical effect of a burning fire or the like, said device comprising a closed, elongated housing having a bottom Wall, end walls and converging elongated side walls, one of said side walls having a viewing opening therein extending substantially the entire length thereof, a translucent viewing panel covering said opening, the other of said side walls being swingable away from said one side wall to provide access to the interior of said housing, an elongated electric lamp detachably mounted at one end within said housing adjacent to said viewing panel and extending substantially the full length thereof, an elongated cylinder substantially entirelv surrounding said lamp, said cylinder having a plurality of apertures therein, a drive motor mounted in said housing ad acent to said lamp for rotating said cylinder. a flexible element connecting said motor to said cylinder whereby to allow said cylinder to be tilted out of said housing away from said viewing opening upon detachment of said lamp and thereby allow said lamp to be withdrawn from said cylinder without detaching said cylinder from said motor, and said other side wall having a reflective surface facing said one side wall with randomly oriented plane portions throughout its entire extent whereby to reflect toward said panel in a discontin'uous and irregular manner moving beams of light transmitted through said cylinder apertures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Dickinson Jan. 10, Price July 2, Gritt Feb. 2, Hancock May 10, 

